Since Ethan Hildreth’s September announcement of his impending retirement in April, the Henry County Board of Education has been in the process of finding his successor.

The vacancy and expectations for the position were posted in September and applications for the job were accepted until Oct. 14.

The two individuals in the running to be the 14th superintendent of the county’s schools are Rodney Bowler, assistant superintendent for administrative services with Henry County Schools, and Vickie Perdue Scott, vice president for academic affairs and strategic learning partnerships with HighPoints Learning.

Bowler has been in his position since 2011.

Prior to joining Henry County Schools, he spent two years as a counselor at the Roosevelt Wilderness Outdoor Therapeutic Program.

His first job in the local school system came in 1991 as a special education teacher at Eagle’s Landing High School.

Four years later Bowler was named assistant principal at the same high school.

He served as the first principal of Union Grove High School when it opened in 2000 before moving to the county’s administrative offices to serve as director of human resources in 2007. Bowler earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University, and master’s and specialist degrees from the University of West Georgia.

Scott started her current position in 2011, but she has served as executive director for exceptional children, executive director for grant development and administration, and deputy superintendent of academics, all with Fulton County Schools, since 2004.

She served as assistant superintendent for instruction, principal, associate principal, and teacher for Bibb County Schools from 1982 through 2004.

Scott earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mercer University, a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and a doctor of education degree from Nova Southeastern University.

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